Van Morrison - Keep It Simple
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Free Music Notes for Keep It Simple
Free Music Review: Another good album!!
Hit: 4 Stars
I have to confess that I own all of Van's CDs. I look forward to each new release. This one did not disappoint. I always appreciate new songs from Van, and enjoy listening to them on a regular basis, as a variety from past CDs. This new CD has more than satisfied my 'jones' for his music (at least until his next release)!!Free Music Review: Mellow and Soulful
Hit: 4 Stars
If anyone has any doubts as to whether Van Morrison retains a substantial fan base, just a glance at the large number of reviews written for Keep It Simple in the two weeks since its release should dispel them. Read the reviews and you will see that the fan base is passionate as well. Now some folks like to live in the musical past and have a particular album in mind by which they gauge all others. That's kind of unfair to the artist. You don't want all Van Morrison albums to sound like the one that is your favorite, do you? I don't. While I have my favorite Van Morrison albums, I want to hear him play something new and possibly great everytime he makes a record.
It's natural of course to make comparisons, but I try to hear an album rise or fall on its own merits. And though Keep It Simple will probably not be seen as one of Morrison's best, it has quite a lot going for it. For one, it is mellow and is one of the most soulful records he's made in a long time. My favorites are How Can A Poor Boy?, Don't Go To Nightclubs Anymore, and Song of Home. There is nothing unlistenable except the blah, blah, blah passage in the final cut that almost ruins it. Some say that Van is having a little fun there, but its at our expense. Given the subject of the song, maybe the most charitable interpretation would be that he is expressing what he thinks about the chatter of the jabbering drunks he's leaving in his past.
Those who buy Keep It Simple will get nearly fifty minutes of music and a small booklet containing lyrics and all the info about who plays what on which song. Most people who have followed Van Morrison's career for years will like this album just fine. I like it as least as well as his last album and will certainly listen again from time to time.
Free Music Review: van the man
Hit: 4 Stars
some nice songs. not as powerful as some of his prior albums however just pleasant music and van is enough.Free Music Review: Blah-Blah-Blah
Hit: 4 Stars
Van must be sobering up,which is no small thing if one has been intoxicated by various things most of ones life. Thanks for sharing Van-----I've always appreciated your journey.Free Music Review: Good and solid effort
Hit: 4 Stars
When I first heard this CD, my reaction was like the negative reviews out of the first 22 reviews it has received. It's a rather laidback effort, but it's deceiving in its simplicity. I listened to it again--and again--and it's starting to grow on me. While it's not as soul-shaking as some of his other CDs (e.g., Astral Weeks, St. Dominic's Preview, Into the Music), it's still Van Morrison working his magic.
These songs are subtle and paced, and I have to admit, pretty workmanlike--the song structures and singing are much like his other work. But in no way should that diminish the resultant beauty and grace of the songs. I can actually see some of these cuts eventually making their way into movies, especially Lover Come Back and Soul.
The best cuts, in my opinion are Behind the Ritual, Soul, Lover Come Back, Keep It Simple, and End of the Land. Ritual is enigmatic, but still quietly stirring--even with the "blah blah" lyrics; it's just Van having some fun. This CD may be laidback, but these cuts are Van Morrison gems.
He has created another solid set of songs, and if you like Van at all, they just might grow on you, too.